U.S. patent application number 09/956955 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-27 for supplier data transfer system and method.
Invention is credited to Chen, Cheng-Ju, Chu, Te-Mei, Hong, Kou-Ching, Hsu, Tzu-Cheng, Lee, Yun-Chi, Liao, Yi-Ming.
Application Number | 20030061107 09/956955 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26246459 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030061107 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Yun-Chi ; et
al. |
March 27, 2003 |
Supplier data transfer system and method
Abstract
A supplier data transfer system and method aims at resolving the
problem of not able to not transfer data timely in a
configure-to-order fashion by Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
Through a platform provided by an information intermediary, data
formats are transferred during data file transfer processes and
data formats are formed in a configure-to-order fashion, thereby
may reduce transfer delay time and enhance data format
compatibility.
Inventors: |
Lee, Yun-Chi; (Taipei,
TW) ; Liao, Yi-Ming; (Taipei, TW) ; Hong,
Kou-Ching; (Taipei, TW) ; Hsu, Tzu-Cheng;
(Taipei, TW) ; Chen, Cheng-Ju; (Taipei, TW)
; Chu, Te-Mei; (Taipei, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
26246459 |
Appl. No.: |
09/956955 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20130101;
G06Q 30/0601 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A supplier data transfer system for use in an enterprise
internal enterprise resources planning through an enterprise
internal network to link to a network backbone and employing a
platform provided by an information intermediary to integrate data
between an enterprise end and a supplier end to complete data
transfer in a configure-to-order fashion, the system comprising at
least: an enterprise front end server for receiving and temporarily
storing enterprise internal and external data, including at least:
an active data warehouse server for actively capturing data during
data transfer processes and providing a temporary storage space; a
security data exchange server for performing security
authentication on the data actively captured by the active data
warehouse server; an enterprise back end server for coordinating
enterprise internal operation to provide data formats for data
transfer, including at least: an enterprise resource planning
server for serving as the base of the enterprise total information
systems and integrating the results, and assisting management of
production processes and reengineering the processes; an enterprise
resource planning application server for providing a plurality of
defined fields and formats to the supplier end for using, and
providing the supplier end self-define fields and formats; an
enterprise resource planning document connector server for linking
data among the enterprise resource planning servers, and providing
a space to store the data transferred back from the enterprise
front end server; and a supply chain management server for linking
the enterprise front end server, the enterprise back end server and
the supplier end, and through a supply chain management software to
provide planning and control of products and services, and
information and money exchanges.
2. The supplier data transfer system of claim 1, wherein the
supplier end is allowed to input related messages of materials
offered by the supplier at Web sites provided by the information
intermediary.
3. The supplier data transfer system of claim 1, wherein the
information intermediary is a third-party authentication
organization not belong to the supplier and the enterprise, and
provides a platform for storing data of the supplier and the
enterprise that has added value network effect, and includes at
least: a purchase order Webquery server allowing the supplier end
and the enterprise end to inquire order processing progress on the
Web sites provided by the information intermediary; and a purchase
data base for providing a space to store data transferred from the
enterprise end and data input by the supplier, the data being
directly accessable.
4. The supplier data transfer system of claim 1, wherein the
enterprise internal network is for linking the enterprise resource
planning server, the enterprise resource planning application
server and the enterprising resource planning document connector
server, the enterprise internal network is Ethernet.
5. The supplier data transfer system of claim 1, wherein the
network backbone is for linking the enterprise front end server,
the supplier end and the information intermediary for performing
data transfer process.
6. The supplier data transfer system of claim 1, wherein the
enterprise end further has a data transfer split between the
information intermediate and thereof for receiving data transferred
from a data source, the data transfer split further including: a
data transfer engine for transferring formats of the data in the
data transfer split, setting up fields and formats in a
configure-to-order fashion based on the requirements of different
suppliers, and sending the transferred data formats to a data
destination; and a function library for linking and mapping the
data in the data transfer engine, using an encoder or a compiler to
generate object codes, and through function library management
programs transferring the object codes to function library formats
to allow other application programs to link, and sending back to
the data transfer engine.
7. The supplier data transfer system of claim 6, wherein the
function library is a dynamic link library for transferring data
formats.
8. The supplier data transfer system of claim 6, wherein the data
source and the data destination are the enterprise end and the
supplier end; when the enterprise end is the data source, the
supplier end is the data destination; and when the supplier end is
the data source, the enterprise end is the data destination.
9. The supplier data transfer system of claim 6, wherein the data
transfer split adapts a configure-to-order (CTO) concept to
complete network data transfer and based on the requirements of
different suppliers to set up different formats and fields.
10. A supplier data transfer method using a technique among an
enterprise resource planning (ERP) and a supply chain management
(SCM) and an information intermediary, and applying to a supplier
end and an enterprise end of a supply chain, the method comprising
the following steps: setting up data on an enterprise end;
transferring the data from the enterprise end through a network
backbone to the information intermediary; transferring the data
from the information intermediary through a global information
network to a destination; receiving and sending data at the
destination by the supplier end through a browser; and delivering
materials by the supplier end according to contracts.
11. The supplier data transfer method of claim 10, wherein the data
at the setting up data on an enterprise end are stored in an
enterprise resource planning document connector server, and using a
plurality of enterprise resource planning servers to generate
information of different requirements.
12. The supplier data transfer method of claim 10, wherein the step
of transferring the data from the enterprise end through a network
backbone to the information intermediary further includes the
following steps: setting up a data transfer split and a data
transfer engine between the enterprise end server and the
information intermediary; linking the data transfer engine to a
function library; transferring through the function library to form
formats required by different suppliers; and completing formats
transfer.
13. The supplier data transfer method of claim 12, wherein the
setting up a data transfer split and a data transfer engine between
the enterprise end server and the information intermediary is done
through the enterprise end.
14. The supplier data transfer method of claim 12, wherein the
linking of the linking the data transfer engine to a function
library is done by mapping, the function library being a dynamic
link library.
15. The supplier data transfer method of claim 12, wherein the
transferring through the function library to form formats required
by different suppliers is done by customizing according to
different supplier ends to form data formats required by the
supplier ends and accomplished in a configure-to-order fashion.
16. The supplier data transfer method of claim 10, wherein the
enterprise end uses an enterprise resource planning server to
generate information and based on a file transfer protocol (FTP)
transfers the data from the enterprise end through the network
backbone to the information intermediary, the information
intermediary storing the data in a purchase data base.
17. The supplier data transfer method of claim 10, wherein the
destination is a platform provided by the information intermediary
and stores the data provided by the suppliers and the enterprise.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a supplier data transfer system
and method, and particularly a supplier data transfer system and
method that is capable of transferring data formats in a
configure-to-order fashion during the file data transfer
process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Since the Internet was opened to commercial applications in
1991, it has become a heavily focused subject. A wide variety of
applications have been developed and introduced that try to take
full advantage of the power of the Internet. For instance, network
shopping, online services, distance learning, and the like have
been widely covered and discussed in the press and mass media. In a
very short period of time, it seems that anything Internet-related
becomes hot and attracts a lot of attention. In fact, the network
economy has become a huge market in recent years. In the past, when
people evaluated the impact of Internet on businesses, most tended
to focus mainly on the network transaction area. However, under the
increasing pressure of globalization, with a focus on efficiency
and being customer driven, the Internet has gradually permeated
companies' internal business processes, and changed their
relationship with other manufacturers and business partners. The
Internet has made a great impact on nearly every aspect of
enterprise operations.
[0003] Value Added Network (VAN) is a product resulting from the
expanding of the basic network function. The greatest difference
between the VAN and the basic network is that the latter mainly
includes general network lines or modems, but the former adds more
service items on the basic network to create additional value. For
instance, some VANs provide Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and
E-mail services. Other VANs offer calculation processes and
statistical analysis functions. In short, VANs are adding services
users need or want to the basic network.
[0004] The VAN is built on a proprietary network and has greater
security and stability. However, its openness is relatively
limited. Hence, different networks cannot be linked directly. It
requires different lines and a security authentication mechanism to
function properly.
[0005] As a VAN usually costs much more than the Internet, due to
cost considerations, many companies transfer part of their business
to the Internet. Nevertheless, VANs are still being heavily used
within industries that need a high level of security and stability,
such as banks, as the Internet still has reliability problems, such
as its inability to track messages, unplanned communication
interruption, or the like. On the other hand, VANs have functions
such as VAN central mail-box management, and message tracking , and
are basically high reliability information systems. Moreover,
business is traditionally a one-to-many relationship, and it is
difficult for an enterprise to maintain these complex communication
relationships on its own. Hence, it is more desirable to employ
VANs service providers to provide a single contact point.
[0006] At the initial developmental stages of electronic commerce,
some people predicted that the middlemen or intermediaries would 1
gradually fade away when the network became popular. Their
reasoning was that the Internet is a frictionless trading
environment, and any consumer can directly contact the producers to
conduct business without being exploited by middlemen. However, the
evolution of business in recent years has shown that it has not
turned out that way. First, electronic commerce has not progressed
as smoothly as predicted. Because of the legal environment and
security concerns, most consumers are still inclined to shop by
traditional methods. Second, the information flooding the Internet
includes much that is superficial, lacking substance and dubious in
value, and Web sites do not offer adequate classification
mechanisms and search engines to ensure the quality or utility of
information. Consumers often get lost in the vast ocean of data and
information. Thus, the intermediaries (including channel and
distribution vendors) still enjoy brisk business. Ironically, the
overload of information even creates the need for impartial and
objective third parties to cull and remake information for consumer
use. This opens a window of opportunity for traditional middlemen
and brokers who have proper strategies to become information
intermediaries.
[0007] Information intermediaries provide the function of selling
market information and creating platforms to smooth business
transactions between buyers and sellers. They do not have fixed
customers or suppliers, but depend on the network relationship they
have painstakingly established. As they are at advantage point
between the suppliers and customers, they are able to get valuable
information from both sides that is not available to other parties.
Hence, they can create added value for their information, and
attract more suppliers and customers. This phenomenon can snowball
and reinforce itself to generate a self-feeding effect.
[0008] As to EDI, it is a means of information exchange that uses
standardized data formats and is done electronically between
organizations. Its application is not limited to enterprises, as
governments, hospitals, schools and the like can all use EDI to
exchange information. It can save administrators and managers a
great deal of paperwork. Operation staffs also do not have to do
data entry repeatedly, and this may help to prevent many data entry
errors. While EDI can greatly improve information transfer
efficiency, it still has the following disadvantages:
[0009] 1. EDI standards are too rigid and cannot be adjusted
dynamically to meet the changes of the business environment.
[0010] 2. EDI has high implementation costs. Many small or medium
size businesses simply cannot afford it.
[0011] 3. EDI mainly focuses on data transfer between enterprises,
and mostly excludes end users from the Supply Chain.
[0012] 4. EDI is a proprietary technique and not an open standard.
It becomes a prohibitive factor for the expansion of
enterprises.
[0013] 5. When using EDI for data transfer, suppliers always act
passively in data receiving roles. The transferring messages are
relatively simple and do not have much diversity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention aims at resolving the preceding disadvantages
and providing a supplier data transfer system and method. The
primary object of the invention is to attack the common problem
that now exists in the supply chain of many industries in which
different vendors have different data file formats and interfaces,
and suppliers have to waste a lot of time transferring data formats
while receiving and sending orders. The invention offers a platform
through an information intermediary, and uses software written by
an enterprise end to set up a data transfer unit between the
enterprise end and the information intermediary, to transfer
different data formats received from different sources to formats
compatible with the software systems at the enterprise end. Thus,
data formats can be customized in a configure-to-order fashion
through the data transfer unit, to ensure data compatibility
regardless of where the sources of data transfer are.
[0015] The supplier data transfer system according to this
invention consists of at least: an enterprise front end server for
receiving and temporarily storing enterprise internal or external
data, including: an active data warehouse server for actively
capturing data during data transfer process and providing an
interim storage space, and a data exchange security server for
performing security authentication of the data captured by the
active data warehouse server; an enterprise back end server for
coordinating enterprise internal operations and providing an
established data format for data transfer, including at least: an
enterprise resource planning server to serve as the foundation of
the enterprise total information systems and integrated results,
and to assist managing production processes and regenerate the
processes; an enterprise resource planning application server for
providing a plurality of defined fields and formats to the
suppliers for use, and also providing the suppliers self-define
fields and formats; an enterprise resource planning document
connector for linking data among the enterprise resource planning
servers and providing a space to store the data transferred back
from the enterprise front end server; a supply chain management
server for linking the enterprise front end server, the enterprise
back end server and the supplier ends to provide, through supply
chain management, plans and controls in an electronic way the
products and services, and information and money transaction so
that the enterprise may get right products at the right places at
the minimum cost with the minimum inventory and still offers
customers excellent services thereby to utilize and distribute
enterprise resources effectively and timely.
[0016] The supplier data transfer method of this invention includes
at least the following steps: setting up data at an enterprise end
which transfers the data through a network backbone to an
information intermediary which in turn transfers the data through a
global information network to a destination; a supplier end
receiving data from or sending data to the destination through a
browser, and delivering goods according contracts. When the
enterprise end transfers the data through the network backbone to
the information intermediary, the process further includes the
following steps: establishing a data transfer split and a data
transfer engine between the enterprise end server and the
information intermediary; the data transfer engine linking a
function library; through the function library transferring the
formats required by different suppliers; and finally completing
formats transfer.
[0017] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and
advantages of this invention will be more readily apparent from the
following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view the system architecture of the
supplier data transfer system of this invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the data transfer architecture
of the enterprise end to the supplier ends according to this
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of data transfer
according to this invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is the basic process flow of the supplier data
transfer method of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] This invention aims at providing a supplier data transfer
system and method particularly targeting Business Process
Reengineer (BPR) which is presently being widely advocated in the
market place. The goal is to effectively utilize and manage
enterprise resources, and to restructure supplier data transfer
operation process to improve efficiency and reduce organization
operating costs. This system is adapted for use in a supplier data
transfer system to allow all messages in the purchase operation be
transmitted timely, and to use an Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) server to generate messages, and based on a File Transfer
Protocol (FTP) to integrate effective data for the suppliers to
deliver goods timely.
[0023] The feasibility and practicality of this invention will be
elaborated by means of an embodiment depicted in the following.
This system can integrate data of different suppliers so that the
suppliers can timely match the production of the supply chain
managers, and achieves the objects of increasing productivity and
lowering inventory. FIG. 1 illustrates the system architecture of
the supplier data transfer system of this invention. It comprises a
first modem 10 links to second modem 15. The modems 10 and 15 may
be dial-up modems, network (Local Area Network, LAN) modems, ISDN
modems, cable modems or the like. Through the identity
authentication of a Firewall 20 and a Router 30 enter into an
enterprise internal network 170. The router 30 is for linking two
network facilities and converting data packets to data frames to
select paths. The enterprise internal network 170 is linked to a
supplier end 150 and an information intermediary 160. The
enterprise internal network consists of (1) an enterprise an
enterprise backend server 100, (2) a supply chain management server
130 and (3) an enterprise front end server 140.
[0024] (1) The enterprise backend server 100 further includes (a) a
first end ERP server 105, (b) a second end ERP server 110, (c) an
ERP application server 120, and (d) an ERP Document Connector
Server 125. Their function will be described as follows:
[0025] (a) The first end ERP server 105 and (b) the second end ERP
server 110: Their main function is to provide a base for the entire
enterprise information systems and to integrate the results. The
servers will integrate whole operations of the enterprise,
including human resources, finances, manufacturing, distribution,
organization, and customers and suppliers communication, and assist
and manage production processes and reengineer the processes.
[0026] (c) the ERP application server 120: Its main function is to
provide a plurality of defined fields and formats, and to store the
data of the first end ERP server 105 and the second end ERP server
110, and also provides a function to allow the supplier end 150 to
select any of the defined fields and formats required, and further
allows the supplier end 150 to define its own fields and formats
when in use, thus may enhance the portability of the ERP
application server. Then store the fields and formats in the
information intermediary 160, and transmit back to the enterprise
end 50 after data conversion.
[0027] (d) the ERP Document Connector Server 125: Its main function
is to allow the data and documents of the first end ERP server 105
and the second end ERP server 110 stored in the ERP application
server 120 to link to each other, and to store the data and
messages sent back from the enterprise front end server 140 for the
system to easily analyze and abstract useful data during
integration, and to determine the final data storage location, or
allows people in the enterprise to search and retrieve required
information at the shortest time.
[0028] The servers of aforesaid (a), (b), (c) and (d) are linked to
one another through an enterprise internal network (LAN) 170. The
LAN 170 may be an Ethernet.
[0029] (2) The supply chain management server 130: Its main
function is to link the enterprise front end server 140, enterprise
back end server 100 and supplier end 150 to one another, and to
provide, in an electronic way and through supply chain management,
planning and control of products and services, and information and
money transactions so that the enterprise may get the right
products at the right places at the minimum cost with minimum
inventory and still can offer customers excellent services, thereby
utilizes and distributes enterprise resources (such as people,
equipment, material, capital) effectively and timely. The Supply
Chain means a network consisting of assembled individual entities
that affects the execution of the processes which transfer
materials from the beginning to become finished products at the end
and finally deliver to customers.
[0030] (3) The enterprise front end server 140 consists of (a) an
Active Data Warehouse (ADW) server 142 and (b) Security Data
Exchange Server 144, which will be elaborated below:
[0031] (a) The ADW server 142: Its main function is to
automatically capture data from a purchase data base 164 that were
input by the supplier end 150, and temporarily store the data
therein, and after analyzing and integrating, store the data back
to the enterprise back end server 100. It also actively captures
and temporarily stores data provided by the enterprise back end
server 100, and after analyzing and integrating, stores the data in
the information intermediary 160.
[0032] (b) The Security Data Exchange Server 144: Its main function
is to perform security authentication on the data and messages
actively captured by the ADW server 142 before storing. That's why
the ADW server 142 has the temporarily storing process.
[0033] The supplier end 150 is a supplier and may input relative
materials information through the Web site of the information
intermediary 160.
[0034] The information intermediary 160 is a third-party
authentication organization not belong to the suppliers or
enterprises. It provides a platform for storing data of the
suppliers and enterprises, and offers added value network function.
It consists of (a) a purchase order Webquery server 162 and (b) a
purchase data base 164, which will be elaborated as follows:
[0035] (a) The purchase order Webquery server 162: Its main
function is to allow the supplier end 150 and enterprise end 50 to
inquire purchase order processing progress on the Web site provided
by the information intermediary 160. All the data are directly
accessed from the purchase order data base 164.
[0036] (b) The purchase data base 164: Its main function is to
store the customized fields and formats generated by the ERP
application server 120 and actively captured by the ADW server 142
for the supplier end 150 to directly access the customized fields
and formats from the data base for data entry use. If the
customized fields and formats cannot meet requirements, suppliers
can directly modify self-define fields. Another function is to
store the data into the data base that are transferred from the
enterprise end 50 and input by the supplier end.
[0037] Data transfer among the enterprise front server 140,
supplier end 150 and information intermediary 160 are done through
a network backbone 180.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the data transfer architecture of the
enterprise end to supplier ends according to this invention.
Details are described hereunder.
[0039] An enterprise end 50 links to an information intermediary
160 through a network backbone 180. The enterprise end 50, as
mentioned before, consists of the enterprise back end server 100,
supply chain management server 130 and enterprise front end server
140. The information intermediary 160 can link to a plurality of
supplier ends 150a-150z concurrently. Between the enterprise end 50
and the information intermediary 160, there is a data transfer
split 190 which further provides a data transfer engine 195.
[0040] The data transfer split 190 is setup at the enterprise end
50. Its main function is to transfer the data established by the
enterprise end 50 to the data transfer engine 195 before
transferring to the information intermediary 160.
[0041] The data transfer engine 195 is mainly to link the data from
the data transfer split 190 and map the data to a Function Library
198, and to perform format transfer with the data stored in the
Function Library 198, and based on the fields and formats required
by different suppliers to set up in a configure-to-order fashion,
thereby to improve effectiveness. As different systems have
different file data transfer formats, when the transferred data
pass through the data transfer split 190, the data transfer engine
195 will perform data transfer once to meet the data format
compatibility requirement. FIG. 3 shows the functional block
diagram of data transfer according to this invention.
[0042] First, a data source 200 transfers data through a data
transfer split 190. The data from the data source 200 then is
transferred to a data transfer engine 195 and mapped to the
function library 198, then get corresponding data formats from the
function library and transfer the data to a data destination 300.
The function library may be a Dynamic Link Library (DDL) for
transferring data formats. The function library 198 employs an
encoder or a compiler to generate object codes, then through
function library management programs to convert the object codes to
the function library formats for other application programs to
link, thereby to send back to the data transfer engine 195. The
enterprise end 50 and supplier end 150 can all be the data source
200 or data destination 300. When the enterprise end 50 is the data
source 200, the supplier end 150 becomes the data destination 300.
On the other hand, when the supplier end 150 is the data source
200, the enterprise end 50 becomes the data destination 300.
Therefore, whichever is the data source, when passing through the
data transfer split 190, data formats transfer will be performed to
ensure data compatibility.
[0043] As mentioned above, the function and processes provided by
the information intermediary 160 have same format, and cannot offer
different fields and formats required by different suppliers. Hence
the information intermediary 160 cannot fully attain its
effectiveness. This invention offers a data transfer mode to
resolve this problem. By using Configure to Order (CTO) concept, in
addition to transmit data on the network, it also can setup
different fields and formats according to different requirements so
that suppliers can receive and deliver materials more efficiently
and easily.
[0044] The method disclosed in this invention is to place
conventional data transfer concept and architecture on the Web. It
mainly employs the techniques among the Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Information
Intermediary to achieve the function of integrating the diverse
data and instant data transfer. It can be used between the
suppliers and enterprise end in the supply chain for the suppliers
to receive data actively, and to transfer effective information
directly according to requirements. In the mean time, it can also
process in reverse by sending effective information from the
suppliers to the enterprise end. It further establishes a data
transfer unit at the authentication third-party between the
supplier ends and enterprise end to facilitate data transfer.
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates the process flow of supplier data
transfer method of this invention. Details will be elaborated as
follows:
[0046] First, set up data at an enterprise end (step 400) which
includes an enterprise front end server, an enterprise back end
server and a supply chain management server. The data are stored in
an ERP document connector server. Information of different
requirements are generated through a plurality of ERP servers, and
are transferred to an information intermediary by the enterprise
end through a network backbone (step 410). The enterprise end uses
an ERP server to generate information and based on a File Transfer
Protocol (FTP) transfers the data through the network backbone to
the information intermediary. The information intermediary stores
the data in a purchase data base, and through a global information
network transfers the data to a destination (step 420) for selected
business entities to browse. A supplier end can receive data from
and send data to the global information network through a Browser
(step 430). Finally the supplier end delivers materials according
to the contracts (step 440) to accomplish the object of data
transfer.
[0047] As the information intermediary only provides a platform to
the suppliers and enterprises for data transfer, and does not
provide other different data transfer approaches to different
suppliers, therefore data transfer can only be done by following
the procedures from the step 400 to the step 440. This invention
provides (at the step 410) a data format transfer during the
enterprise end transfers the data through the network backbone to
the information intermediary, thus can meet the requirements of
different suppliers.
[0048] Therefore, before the enterprise end transferring data to
the information intermediary, the enterprise end should set up a
data transfer split and a data transfer engine between the
enterprise end and the information intermediary (step 500). The
data transfer engine is located in the data transfer split. When
data are transferred to the information intermediary, through the
data transfer split and from the data transfer engine linking to a
function library (step 510), and through the function library
transfer the data to the required formats for different suppliers
(step 520), and finally complete the transfer format process (step
530). The process may return to the step 420 to proceed other
remaining procedures. Hence based on the method of data format
transfer set forth above, different data formats can be customized
to meet the requirements of different suppliers thereby to achieve
the object of transfer data format in a configure-to-order
fashion.
[0049] While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been
set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the
disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiment
thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not
depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *